Mikel Arteta has explained why Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is training with Arsenal. The former England international has become a surprise addition to the ranks in north London, with the 32-year-old being spotted working with the Gunners’ youth team. Oxlade-Chamberlain knows Arsenal and Arteta well and is looking to stay sharp after dropping into the free agent pool.
Roberto Firmino has weighed in on some of football’s biggest debates ahead of Liverpool’s blockbuster clash with Real Madrid, picking Mohamed Salah over Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr over Luis Diaz. The ex-Liverpool star praised both rivals but revealed his admiration for Vinicius’ energy and Salah’s unmatched consistency ahead of Champions League clash.
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso says it is just a "matter of time" before Florian Wirtz delivers for Liverpool after a tough start to life at Anfield. The Germany international swapped Bayer Leverkusen for the Reds in a £116 million deal in the summer but so far he has flattered to deceive for Arne Slot's team. Ahead of a reunion with ex-Leverkusen boss Alonso, the Spaniard has backed the 22-year-old to come good.
Manuel Neuer is still going strong at Bayern Munich despite turning 39 earlier this year as the 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper has prevented Jonas Urbig from seizing his spot as the No.1. However, with Neuer's contract expiring at the end of the season, the veteran custodian has claimed that he needs to consider multiple factors before making any decision. Vincent Kompany also added that now is not the time to discuss Neuer's future.
A top-flight manager in Serbia has tragically passed away at the age of 44 after collapsing during a match. Mladen Zizovic suffered a heart attack while watching his team Radnicki 1923 in action. Emotions ran high once it became apparent what had happened on the touchline during that contest, with several players breaking down in tears on the pitch as the severity of events became painfully apparent.
Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has praised Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany for showing the courage to bench stars Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz in Bayern Munich’s 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. The World Cup winner believes Kompany’s rotation policy has not only helped manage the players’ workload but also shown his trust in the entire squad, keeping morale high.
Outspoken Mario Balotelli appears to have taken an X-rated swipe at Patrick Vieira after seeing the Arsenal legend relieved of his duties as manager of Genoa. Italy international Balotelli had found himself frozen out by a one-time team-mate and has taken aim at those that he considers to have acted in a “selfish” manner, with the enigmatic striker pointing out that “Karma is a b*tch”.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank says star duo Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence have apologised to him after snubbing the head coach following Saturday's loss to Chelsea. In the wake of the 1-0 defeat, Frank encouraged his players to do a lap of the pitch and thank the fans but Van de Ven and Spence were captured on film giving the Dane the cold shoulder. Now, they have shown remorse for their actions.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has played down concerns about a potential rift between Lamine Yamal and Dani Carvajal after their heated exchange following El Clasico. The Roja boss insists there is “no strange behaviour” in the squad and confirmed he has spoken to the Barcelona and Real Madrid players, stressing unity ahead of Spain’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Neymar has been snubbed by Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti again, with the injury-ravaged Santos superstar missing out on selection for upcoming friendly dates against Senegal and Tunisia. The 33-year-old playmaker has made no secret of the fact that he wants to represent his country at next summer’s World Cup, but faces a race against time to prove his worth.
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has shared his thoughts on the ideal role for rising star Kenan Yildiz, praising the Turkish international’s versatility and ability to excel in multiple positions. Spalletti even revealed that he personally asked the 20-year-old where he feels most comfortable playing, adding fresh insight to the ongoing debate over Yildiz’s best spot on the pitch.
'The Bundesliga Tax'. It's a phrase that has become more prominent amongst supporters over the past decade or so, used to describe the growing trend of players who have lit up the German top-flight who have been sold to Premier League clubs for big money, only to fail to replicate that same form when arriving in England.
The build-up to Liverpool's Champions League meeting with Real Madrid on Tuesday has unsurprisingly focused on Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is returning to Anfield less than six months after bidding an emotional farewell. The right-back is not certain to start for the visitors - nor is it clear how he will be received by the hosts, given the acrimonious nature of his exit.
The conspiracy theorists were on it immediately. Less than 10 minutes into Real Madrid's Champions League opener against Marseille, Trent Alexander-Arnold went down holding his hamstring. He had that resigned look on his face, combined with the shake of the head, the pained expression and the acceptance that something wasn't right, nor could it be immediately fixed.
Premier League giants Manchester City have renewed their "serious interest" in Valencia wonderkid Jaume Dura, according to reports in Spain. The attacking midfielder rejected a move to the Etihad last year to sign a new contract until 2027 but Pep Guardiola's City are now making "another attempt" to sign the Spain U17 international star.
Jamie Carragher remains unconvinced that Liverpool needed to sign two strikers during a summer of historic spending at Anfield. The Reds invested heavily in Hugo Ekitike, before then smashing the British transfer record on £125 million ($164m) superstar Alexander Isak. Arne Slot has to find minutes for both forwards when they are fit, with Carragher admitting that his “mind boggles” when it comes to that selection conundrum.
Real Madrid striker Endrick is set to leave the club on a temporary basis after failing to impress head coach Xabi Alonso following his arrival at the club in the summer. The Brazilian had been linked with a loan move to the Premier League, with both Manchester United and Aston Villa interested in the young forward. But reports now suggest the 19-year-old will make a move to Lyon in France.
The Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit, NWSL expansion sides debuting in 2026, will play their first home matches at iconic NFL venues, the teams announced. The legacy will play in the New England Patriots’ Gillette Stadium on March 14, and the Summit will open in the Denver Broncos’ Empower Field on March 28.
Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to Anfield with Real Madrid and paid a touching tribute to his late former team-mate Diogo Jota, laying flowers and leaving an emotional handwritten message at the Liverpool memorial. The heartfelt gesture came as the English defender revisited his old home ahead of Los Blancos' Champions League clash with the Reds on Tuesday night.
Neymar’s future with Santos remains up in the air as the Brazil star approaches the end of his current contract. Having recently recovered from a muscle injury, the 33-year-old finally returned to action in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Fortaleza in Serie A. Club chief Marcelo Teixeira wants the ex-Barcelona forward to stay with the club until the World Cup, but has warned the player that there are financial limits when it comes to agreeing a new contract.
Carlo Ancelotti has called out Vinicius Jr for his angry reaction after being substituted by Xabi Alonso during Real Madrid’s 2-1 Clasico win over Barcelona, describing the forward’s behaviour as “a mistake”. The Brazil boss revealed that he has since spoken directly with the 25-year-old, confirming the issue is now resolved as both player and coach look ahead to next month’s international fixtures.
Mary Earps has spoken out following criticism over comments made in her new autobiography about Hannah Hampton and Sarina Wiegman, insisting the book was not written to "tear anyone down". The former England goalkeeper, who was part of the Euro 2022-winning side, said the negative public reaction to segments from the book had been "distorted" and taken out of context.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits he is concerned about star striker Viktor Gyokeres after the Swede picked up a muscular injury during the win at Burnley on Saturday. The Gunners return to action this week in the Champions League when they travel to Slavia Prague, but they will face this test without their talisman up front after he missed training on Monday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s emotional return to Anfield is set to take a dramatic twist, with the Real Madrid defender ‘highly unlikely’ to start against his former club. The 27-year-old, still recovering from a hamstring injury, remains short of full fitness and is expected to watch from the bench as Federico Valverde continues to deputise at right-back for Xabi Alonso’s side.
Javier Hernández has appeared in just four of Chivas’ 16 Apertura 2025 matches, and it’s increasingly likely the club won’t extend his contract when it expires in December. The veteran striker and Mexico legend may not see much action on the pitch, but manager Gabriel Milito says his value goes far beyond goals, pointing to Hernández’s experience and leadership within the squad.
Marseille head coach Roberto De Zerbi has opened up on why he dropped Mason Greenwood from the starting XI in the recent Ligue 1 win over Auxerre. The former Brighton boss was speaking ahead of the club's Champions League clash against Serie A side Atalanta, set for Wednesday night in France, and explained his reasons for keeping the ex-Manchester United man on the bench.
Sir Gareth Southgate has addressed ongoing speculation linking him to the Manchester United job, admitting he’s “very relaxed” about not being in football and suggesting he may never return to management. The former England boss, who left his post after Euro 2024, is instead focusing on his new book and youth leadership work outside the game.